CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[hdrolfe]

I can officially stop talking about it, we put a deposit down on an Alaskan sailing on the Carnival Miracle for this September!

I was seriously ready to rebook our NCL sailing, but then I got some kind of amazing offer from Carnival. I think it was a last minute casino-type rate (which is strange because I rarely play in the casino-DH does, so maybe that was it?). Anyway, we booked the 8 day itinerary in an extended verandah cabin with a $100OBC and gratuities included for LESS THAN $2K! Yes, it's an smaller ship (refurbed in 2020 I found out), but since Alaska is more about the ports and at that price, we figured we couldn't pass up the opportunity. We can budget more for excursions and extras that maybe we wouldn't normally have done.

Fingers crossed this actually happens! DH is officially vaxxed as of yesterday and we are ready to sail!

Exciting! I've heard good things about Miracle, that class of ships. So hopefully you will enjoy it! I mean Alaska is more for the sights than the ship I think so as long as you got good ports and price... celebrate! And review when you get back so we can enjoy vicariously through you

 

[mevelandry]

Found a pic of the Magic with the new hull design! Absolutely gorgeous. Love it.

 

[belle032]

Found a pic of the Magic with the new hull design! Absolutely gorgeous. Love it. View attachment 581436

I'm loving the blue. Very classy!

 

[mevelandry]

I'm loving the blue. Very classy!

Agreed!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm loving the blue. Very classy!

I love it too, will be cool to eventually see all the Carnival ships that way!

 

[auntlynne]

Every time I read this thread, it’s like I’m in a personal conversation - of cruise lovers. I’m not too shy to wiggle in to a conversation, though, and might pick up some useful info if I throw out my news.

I was following along on @belle032 ‘s quandary on Carnival v NCL in AK to see the outcome.

I can officially stop talking about it, we put a deposit down on an Alaskan sailing on the Carnival Miracle for this September!

I was seriously ready to rebook our NCL sailing, but then I got some kind of amazing offer from Carnival. I think it was a last minute casino-type rate (which is strange because I rarely play in the casino-DH does, so maybe that was it?). Anyway, we booked the 8 day itinerary in an extended verandah cabin with a $100OBC and gratuities included for LESS THAN $2K! Yes, it's an smaller ship (refurbed in 2020 I found out), but since Alaska is more about the ports and at that price, we figured we couldn't pass up the opportunity. We can budget more for excursions and extras that maybe we wouldn't normally have done.

Fingers crossed this actually happens! DH is officially vaxxed as of yesterday and we are ready to sail!

I just booked NCL Encore for August 21 (the itinerary that goes to Skagway, but not Glacier Bay).

It‘s my first NCL cruise. Less than half of DCL price (y‘all would have known that already) and I get to try their studio cabin, designed for solo cruisers.

I’ll also get a new port - Icy Strait Point, which only leaves Sitka on my unvisited AK stops. An excuse for a future cruise, as if an excuse is needed to return to AK?!

I had no doubts that this would sail and am now wondering. I booked cruise, air, hotel all in one swoop. Excursions and dining the next day. I think they are all refundable / cancel without penalty. And bought insurance that even covers COVID-caused issues.

This is a vaccinated cruise. But not splashed across every agreement as I would expect. We will have to submit documentation and be tested (NCL paid) at the pier. More details are to come (which I take to mean they are working on their plans).

 

[mevelandry]

Guys, I’m so envious of all of you cruising to Alaska. I have been trying to convince my husband for years… He doesn’t like the cold much so he’s very hesitant.

 

[brewcrew]

Guys, I’m so envious of all of you cruising to Alaska. I have been trying to convince my husband for years… He doesn’t like the cold much so he’s very hesitant.

Maybe he would like it in August...better chance of warmer weather??? He could go with you and stay on the ship while you go exploring??? Just trying to help get you there.

 

[belle032]

Every time I read this thread, it’s like I’m in a personal conversation - of cruise lovers. I’m not too shy to wiggle in to a conversation, though, and might pick up some useful info if I throw out my news.

I was following along on @belle032 ‘s quandary on Carnival v NCL in AK to see the outcome.



I just booked NCL Encore for August 21 (the itinerary that goes to Skagway, but not Glacier Bay).

It‘s my first NCL cruise. Less than half of DCL price (y‘all would have known that already) and I get to try their studio cabin, designed for solo cruisers.

I’ll also get a new port - Icy Strait Point, which only leaves Sitka on my unvisited AK stops. An excuse for a future cruise, as if an excuse is needed to return to AK?!

I had no doubts that this would sail and am now wondering. I booked cruise, air, hotel all in one swoop. Excursions and dining the next day. I think they are all refundable / cancel without penalty. And bought insurance that even covers COVID-caused issues.

This is a vaccinated cruise. But not splashed across every agreement as I would expect. We will have to submit documentation and be tested (NCL paid) at the pier. More details are to come (which I take to mean they are working on their plans).

I truly looked at this itinerary as well, but we couldn't go in August. It had to be September, which automatically eliminating stopping in Skagway. I really do want to try NCL in the future so I know we'll get there eventually! We just couldn't pass the CCL deal up. And I really appreciate that NCL offers solo cabins! I'm hoping we both get to sail and I would love to hear a review of your trip!

Guys, I’m so envious of all of you cruising to Alaska. I have been trying to convince my husband for years… He doesn’t like the cold much so he’s very hesitant.

Let me just say my Mom sailed to Alaska in 2019 (in September on 1 of the last itineraries of the season) and she is NOT a cold weather person. Hates it. Would prefer never to see a snowflake in her life again. The whole nine yards. TBH I think she has a touch of seasonal affective disorder, which she passed on to me. (Thanks mom!) We don't do well in winter!

So I was VERY surprised she decided to go! But when I talked to her about it afterward, she raved about what a wonderful time she had. I don't think she felt the need to go again, but she was so glad she took the chance and went. She said the scenery was out of this world beautiful and that it's just a entirely different cruising experience.

Hopefully you can convince your DH to take the leap!

 

[mevelandry]

Maybe he would like it in August...better chance of warmer weather??? He could go with you and stay on the ship while you go exploring??? Just trying to help get you there.

Nah, if I’m getting off the ship, he’s getting off the ship.

I wonder how warm it gets over there in August... Enough to swim in a heated pool? I wonder what Alaska looks like during summer. I’ll have to google that.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Guys, I’m so envious of all of you cruising to Alaska. I have been trying to convince my husband for years… He doesn’t like the cold much so he’s very hesitant.

I’ve lived in the Arizona desert for 48 of the 52 years I’ve been on this planet and absolutely despise cold weather, literally makes me miserable. We did Alaska the first week of June in 2017 and I was surprised how mild it was. It was definitely cool but not nearly as cold as I expected. Granted, I didn’t spend any time on deck at night and only was able to lay out one afternoon, but on excursions we were fine. Just wore pants and long sleeve shirts and were good to go. I still prefer Caribbean cruises but am so happy we did Alaska once, was a great cruise and I would do it again in the future.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Every time I read this thread, it’s like I’m in a personal conversation - of cruise lovers. I’m not too shy to wiggle in to a conversation, though, and might pick up some useful info if I throw out my news.

I was following along on @belle032 ‘s quandary on Carnival v NCL in AK to see the outcome.



I just booked NCL Encore for August 21 (the itinerary that goes to Skagway, but not Glacier Bay).

It‘s my first NCL cruise. Less than half of DCL price (y‘all would have known that already) and I get to try their studio cabin, designed for solo cruisers.

I’ll also get a new port - Icy Strait Point, which only leaves Sitka on my unvisited AK stops. An excuse for a future cruise, as if an excuse is needed to return to AK?!

I had no doubts that this would sail and am now wondering. I booked cruise, air, hotel all in one swoop. Excursions and dining the next day. I think they are all refundable / cancel without penalty. And bought insurance that even covers COVID-caused issues.

This is a vaccinated cruise. But not splashed across every agreement as I would expect. We will have to submit documentation and be tested (NCL paid) at the pier. More details are to come (which I take to mean they are working on their plans).

Glad you joined in! I think NCL has some of the prettiest cabins in the industry and am anxious to hear all about your cruise when you return. Keep us informed of your plans as you make them, we all love to live others cruises through them!

 

[brewcrew]

Nah, if I’m getting off the ship, he’s getting off the ship.

I wonder how warm it gets over there in August... Enough to swim in a heated pool? I wonder what Alaska looks like during summer. I’ll have to google that.

Lol! That’s the thing with Alaska...it could be warm and sunny or cold and rainy. In the same week. I know some cruise lines have covered pools so maybe that will help sway him. He would enjoy the scenery though!

 

[Lilsia]

Guys, I’m so envious of all of you cruising to Alaska. I have been trying to convince my husband for years… He doesn’t like the cold much so he’s very hesitant.

Go without him. My husband absolutely refuses to go on a cruise so it's either my girls and me, or I go by myself. Life is too short to not do what you want to do. Maybe I feel this way because my whole life, my Mom would say how the one thing that she wanted to do was go on an Alaskan cruise. My dad, being the jerk that he was, thought vacations were a "waste of money". She died at 62 never having gone on her cruise, or any real vacation. She did not even get to retire from work. So I do as much as I can, while I can. You can't take the money with you.

 

[hdrolfe]

No desire to go to Alaska here! Maybe someday. I do not like the cold, and yes I live in Canada. I travel with my son and when he is older I will travel alone. Though he doesn't think that will ever happen. My parents don't like trips but they took me on a cruise when I was 16 and I was 40 when I got to go again. My mom sometimes makes comments about how often I travel but I know I want to do it while I am able to. This is how I spend my money.

Glad to see some cruises will be starting up, I am anxious to see how they go and what has changed. I really hope kiddo and I can go in December, I have to get him vaccinated somehow so there are no problems traveling.

 

[mevelandry]

I’ve lived in the Arizona desert for 48 of the 52 years I’ve been on this planet and absolutely despise cold weather, literally makes me miserable. We did Alaska the first week of June in 2017 and I was surprised how mild it was. It was definitely cool but not nearly as cold as I expected. Granted, I didn’t spend any time on deck at night and only was able to lay out one afternoon, but on excursions we were fine. Just wore pants and long sleeve shirts and were good to go. I still prefer Caribbean cruises but am so happy we did Alaska once, was a great cruise and I would do it again in the future.

Oh good to know! Thank you.

 

[mevelandry]

Every time I read this thread, it’s like I’m in a personal conversation - of cruise lovers. I’m not too shy to wiggle in to a conversation, though, and might pick up some useful info if I throw out my news.

I was following along on @belle032 ‘s quandary on Carnival v NCL in AK to see the outcome.

You are welcome here and welcome to ask about any cruise lines as well as we received permission from the mods.

 

[mevelandry]

Lol! That’s the thing with Alaska...it could be warm and sunny or cold and rainy. In the same week. I know some cruise lines have covered pools so maybe that will help sway him. He would enjoy the scenery though!

Sounds like Canada. LOL

Do you know if certains months tend to be less rainy?

 

[mevelandry]

No desire to go to Alaska here! Maybe someday. I do not like the cold, and yes I live in Canada. I travel with my son and when he is older I will travel alone. Though he doesn't think that will ever happen. My parents don't like trips but they took me on a cruise when I was 16 and I was 40 when I got to go again. My mom sometimes makes comments about how often I travel but I know I want to do it while I am able to. This is how I spend my money.

Glad to see some cruises will be starting up, I am anxious to see how they go and what has changed. I really hope kiddo and I can go in December, I have to get him vaccinated somehow so there are no problems traveling.

They’ll be reducing quarantine: in July, we’re going from « 14 days mandatory quarantine » to « quarantine until we receive a negative result« when fully vaccinated... Which I hope will be waived by the end of the summer. We have a trip to New York planned in September and a cruise in October.

 

[mevelandry]

I’m a bit worried. From what I understand, for the first months of sailing, every stop in Grand Turk is currently replaced with Nassau. It hasn’t affected our January itinerary yet and I hope it doesn’t.

Nassau excursions have really gone up (some over 50$ more than they used to be) and Atlantis is still not back on the list of excursions available.